Waiting before going to synthetic?

230g Hydra-Shok · 01-06-2008, 03:17 PM

Hey gang.

I'll be getting my '08 TRD with 6-speed in less than 2 weeks! This will be my second Tacoma; the first was an '03 TRD.

I live in Iowa where temps range from -15 in the winter to 95 in the summer. At some point I'm going to put in Amsoil 0W-30 synthtic oil, as it's made for these extreme conditions, but I'm unsure of when to do the changeover.

Some people say it's best to wait until 3,000 miles are on the odometer, and some say it's fine to switch it right off the bat.

What say you?

Thanks for the help. This looks like a popular website with a bunch of trustworthy people.

humanoid · 01-06-2008, 03:28 PM

Do it the next oil change, you should be fine.

230g Hydra-Shok · 01-06-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humanoid

Do it the next oil change, you should be fine.

Yeah, I probably will. Better safe than sorry type of thing.

Thanks a lot!

45longcolt · 01-06-2008, 03:38 PM

I live in Texas and we do not have as harsh of those winters as where you are at. I plan to let the dino oil stay in there for the first 10K miles to let her get broke in some and then go to synthetic after that.

jhodge83 · 01-06-2008, 04:25 PM

i'm leaving it in until i stop getting my free changes...haha...i think like 45k or so...then when its on my own buck and labor, i'll be going to mobil1 5-30

tacomaman06 · 01-06-2008, 05:35 PM

switch over now if you want to. it isnt gonna hurt anything.

SteveO · 01-06-2008, 05:57 PM

I did a dino oil change at 1500 miles. At 5000 I will switch to the same Amsoil you mentioned as well as change out all of the other fluids to Amsoil.

I've decided to run the Amsoil for 10,000 miles with a filter change at each 5000 mile interval. It's less than suggested by Amsoil, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I'd love to hear pros and cons on my "strategy."

P.S. I live in Cedar Falls, Iowa; so I know what you mean about temperatures! Summers, though, I spend beating the crap out of my vehicles in the West.

tacotoe · 01-06-2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacomaman06

switch over now if you want to. it isnt gonna hurt anything.

I agree with tacomaman06, change over to synthetics whenever you want,a couple different oil mfgr. websites talk about this in the FAQs. What part of Iowa you from ? I bought my Tacoma at Bluffs Toyota in Council Bluffs IA.They`re moved to Bellevue NE now.

Janster · 01-06-2008, 07:43 PM

I switched my truck over at 2900 miles.

The sooner the better! Just make sure you're running the proper *weight* for your conditions AND break-in.

230g Hydra-Shok · 01-07-2008, 07:52 AM

Wow, lots of Iowans here!

I'm just north of Des Moines.

Thanks for the advice.

Leer · 01-07-2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveO

I did a dino oil change at 1500 miles. At 5000 I will switch to the same Amsoil you mentioned as well as change out all of the other fluids to Amsoil.

I've decided to run the Amsoil for 10,000 miles with a filter change at each 5000 mile interval. It's less than suggested by Amsoil, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I'd love to hear pros and cons on my "strategy."

P.S. I live in Cedar Falls, Iowa; so I know what you mean about temperatures! Summers, though, I spend beating the crap out of my vehicles in the West.

The only cons I can see is that if you ever have an engine problem and you need to warranty your block, Toyota will take one look at your records and void the waranty. In order to keep your warranty intact, you have to follow manufatures recommondations and NOT product recommondations.

Critter · 01-07-2008, 11:55 AM

I went Mobil 1 synthetic 1st oil change 5w30.

230g Hydra-Shok · 01-07-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leer

The only cons I can see is that if you ever have an engine problem and you need to warranty your block, Toyota will take one look at your records and void the waranty. In order to keep your warranty intact, you have to follow manufatures recommondations and NOT product recommondations.

Not suggesting anyone be less than honest, but if one were "creative" couldn't you just write down that you changed the oil at 3,000 miles with whatever oil Toyota suggests? I mean, are they really going to do an oil analysis if you need engine work?

Leer · 01-07-2008, 05:36 PM

Yea, I know what you mean, but believe me if there is a problem they are gonna look for any way out of an engine swap.

I'm positive that they are going to want to know who did you maintenance and they are going to want proof via reciepts.

Having reciepts for the filter every 5000 miles will be acceptable but having reciepts that only reflect oil changes every 10k miles will get you a voided warranty very quickly.

I'm not trying to be the ass, please don't take it that way,I just want to make sure you are aware of problems you may face down the road.

SteveO · 01-07-2008, 09:16 PM

Thank you all for your comments on my "strategy." Looks like it's best that I fall back on the 5,000 mile oil change and filter change. I will, however, continue to use synthetics. In my last Tacoma (using Mobile 1), it increase my mileage more than enough to compensate for the increased cost.

ERdept · 01-08-2008, 02:13 AM

Just reading the warning about Toyota not encouraging synthetic oil.

I thought if you're really obsessive compulsive about it, like I am with a lot of things, you can have Toyota officially change the oil. Thus, you have their receipt.

Then change it out at home to synthetic. Expensive but get you what you want both ways. You get their compliance and you get your oil.

tacotoe · 01-08-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERdept

Just reading the warning about Toyota not encouraging synthetic oil.

I thought if you're really obsessive compulsive about it, like I am with a lot of things, you can have Toyota officially change the oil. Thus, you have their receipt.

Then change it out at home to synthetic. Expensive but get you what you want both ways. You get their compliance and you get your oil.

$$$I knew I shoulda went into some kind of medical profession$$$

45longcolt · 01-08-2008, 03:58 PM

ERdept, where did you see the "NO" synthetic warning? If it is only an "encourage not to" instead of your "warranty will be voided", seems it is OK to use it.

WilsonTheDog · 01-08-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leer

The only cons I can see is that if you ever have an engine problem and you need to warranty your block, Toyota will take one look at your records and void the waranty. In order to keep your warranty intact, you have to follow manufatures recommondations and NOT product recommondations.

HUH?! There is nothing in the manual stating exactly what type/brand of oil to use so that is not an issue.

Just use the synthetic. It's oil not rocket science.

WilsonTheDog · 01-08-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERdept

Just reading the warning about Toyota not encouraging synthetic oil.

I thought if you're really obsessive compulsive about it, like I am with a lot of things, you can have Toyota officially change the oil. Thus, you have their receipt.

Then change it out at home to synthetic. Expensive but get you what you want both ways. You get their compliance and you get your oil.

Ah, so everybody immediately stop doing mods and go back to stock. Shut down the site, game over.

It says absolutely NOWHERE in my manual or in my warranty docs not to use synthetic.

01-06-2008, 03:17 PM	#1
230g Hydra-Shok Junior Member Joined: Jan 2008, #4121 Posts: 15 2008 V6 blue access cab TRD with 6-speed 2008 Access Cab Manual	Waiting before going to synthetic? Hey gang. I'll be getting my '08 TRD with 6-speed in less than 2 weeks! This will be my second Tacoma; the first was an '03 TRD. I live in Iowa where temps range from -15 in the winter to 95 in the summer. At some point I'm going to put in Amsoil 0W-30 synthtic oil, as it's made for these extreme conditions, but I'm unsure of when to do the changeover. Some people say it's best to wait until 3,000 miles are on the odometer, and some say it's fine to switch it right off the bat. What say you? Thanks for the help. This looks like a popular website with a bunch of trustworthy people.

01-06-2008, 03:28 PM	#2
humanoid Mom says I'm special! Joined: Jun 2007, #1932 Location: Sunny SoCal Age: 40 Gender: Dude Posts: 1,352 I had a '99 Xtra Cab PreRunner SR5 V6 Automatic	Do it the next oil change, you should be fine. __________________

01-06-2008, 04:25 PM	#5
jhodge83 CA: Waiting for the next meet! Joined: Apr 2007, #1432 Location: Fayetteville, NC/Sumter, SC Age: 25 Gender: Guy Posts: 4,971 09 Timberland Mica DC 4X4 Sport 2009 Double Cab Automatic 4.0L seatbelt chime mod, fog lights on anytime mod, hose clamp mod, louder horns mod, and a few others in the sig!	i'm leaving it in until i stop getting my free changes...haha...i think like 45k or so...then when its on my own buck and labor, i'll be going to mobil1 5-30 __________________ 2009 Timberland Mica DC SB TRD Sport 4x4 Tow w/ Hook Hitch, All Weather Mats, In-Channel Rain Guards, Bed Mat, AFE Pro Dry Drop-in w/ Secondary Removed and Modified Intake, Magnaflow SS Muffler w/ Chopped Exhaust, Flat Black Vinyl Emblems, Black Low Profile/Low Width Tool Box, Hi Lift, Xenon "HID" Head&Fog Bulbs, Black/Grey Iggee Seat Covers, Painted Engine Cover, Painted Grill Emblem, Tinted Tails and 3rd Brake, Cargo Bar, Cobra 29 LTD Black Chrome CB w/ K40 Antenna, Astatic Mic, and 5" PA Speaker, Painted Rims w/ Black Lugs, 5x LT255/75/17 BFG MT's, AllproOffroad Sliders and Skid Plate, 3" EZ Lift w/ AAL and Diff Drop, Pioneer AVIC-N1 DVD/NAV on the way....hopefully BB gas skid and (3" rear kit, 3.5" coilovers, front bumper, and remaining skids from Allpro) Waiting to be installed....Allpro UCA's and 35% tint

01-06-2008, 05:35 PM	#6
tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Redneck Division Joined: May 2007, #1475 Location: rock hill, sc Age: 29 Gender: Male Posts: 12,557 04 trd tacoma 4x4 v6 double cab 2004 Double Cab Automatic 3.4 v6 vent visors,deck plate mod, gray wire mod, black steelies and emblems, mag-lite mod, wheelers/ome suspension, stainless brake lines,blacked out bumpers(bedliner),dynomax super turbo muffler,cabelas mossy oak seat covers ans camo steering wheel cover....still to come.... afe pro dry s filter..........plus many,many more!!	switch over now if you want to. it isnt gonna hurt anything. __________________ i am WILL--my ride=04 tacoma trd 4x4 double cab, v6, auto,deck plate mod, grey wire mod, billy 5100's all the way around,black low-pro uws toolbox, black steelies,blacked out emblems, mag light mod,wheelers/alcan springs, ome 881 coils, braided stainless brake lines, polyurethane bushings,dynomax super turbo/slash cut tip-blacked out,chrome deleted bumpers via herculiner bed liner,color matched bedlinered tailgate, camo seat covers,sockmonkey decals,husky floor liners and still to come....15 inch wheelers steelies and gy wrangler mtr's!!! http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa269/tacomaman06/ signature by piercedtiger www.myspace.com/goodolboy1979

01-06-2008, 07:43 PM	#9
Janster Pre Senior Citizen Joined: Mar 2007, #1138 Location: Lancaster, PA Age: 41 Gender: Female Posts: 2,917 2007 4.0L 4x4 TRD Sport Access Cab A 2007 Access Cab Automatic 4.0L Advantage Torza top (tri-fold), Husky floor mats, RuffTuff seat covers, C2C hood struts, Homelink mirror, Ipod2car (80gig Classic/4gig nano), Garmin Nuvi 660, Protecta Bed mat, Pop-n-lock, TSB Springs, Scangauge II, Heated drivers seat, Fumoto drain valve, Aries pushbar, PIAA 540 fog lights, Hood scoop grahics, Flowmaster 50 series dual catback exhaust.	I switched my truck over at 2900 miles. The sooner the better! Just make sure you're running the proper weight for your conditions AND break-in. __________________ Our Homepage http://www.lieblweb.com/ My truck photo gallery http://www.lieblweb.com/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=16

01-06-2008, 03:38 PM	#4
45longcolt Senior Member Joined: Dec 2007, #3663 Location: DFW Area Posts: 203 08, Double cab, 4WD, Off Road, Tow, 2008 Double Cab Automatic Got to pay for it first!	I live in Texas and we do not have as harsh of those winters as where you are at. I plan to let the dino oil stay in there for the first 10K miles to let her get broke in some and then go to synthetic after that.

01-06-2008, 05:57 PM	#7
SteveO Junior Member Joined: Sep 2007, #2697 Location: Cedar Falls. IA Posts: 11 07 Tacoma Sport TRD Speedway Blue 6-speed 2007 Access Cab Manual 4.0 L K & N filter, Eco-2 VPE, Toyota running boards and bed extender, Scangauge II & TSB springs	I did a dino oil change at 1500 miles. At 5000 I will switch to the same Amsoil you mentioned as well as change out all of the other fluids to Amsoil. I've decided to run the Amsoil for 10,000 miles with a filter change at each 5000 mile interval. It's less than suggested by Amsoil, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I'd love to hear pros and cons on my "strategy." P.S. I live in Cedar Falls, Iowa; so I know what you mean about temperatures! Summers, though, I spend beating the crap out of my vehicles in the West.

01-07-2008, 07:52 AM	#10
230g Hydra-Shok Junior Member Joined: Jan 2008, #4121 Posts: 15 2008 V6 blue access cab TRD with 6-speed 2008 Access Cab Manual	Wow, lots of Iowans here! I'm just north of Des Moines. Thanks for the advice.

01-07-2008, 11:55 AM	#12
Critter Member Joined: Jun 2007, #1773 Location: MD Posts: 83	I went Mobil 1 synthetic 1st oil change 5w30.

01-07-2008, 05:36 PM	#14
Leer Member Joined: Jan 2008, #4113 Posts: 57 08 Pre-Runner 2008 Double Cab Automatic	Yea, I know what you mean, but believe me if there is a problem they are gonna look for any way out of an engine swap. I'm positive that they are going to want to know who did you maintenance and they are going to want proof via reciepts. Having reciepts for the filter every 5000 miles will be acceptable but having reciepts that only reflect oil changes every 10k miles will get you a voided warranty very quickly. I'm not trying to be the ass, please don't take it that way,I just want to make sure you are aware of problems you may face down the road.

01-07-2008, 09:16 PM	#15
SteveO Junior Member Joined: Sep 2007, #2697 Location: Cedar Falls. IA Posts: 11 07 Tacoma Sport TRD Speedway Blue 6-speed 2007 Access Cab Manual 4.0 L K & N filter, Eco-2 VPE, Toyota running boards and bed extender, Scangauge II & TSB springs	Thank you all for your comments on my "strategy." Looks like it's best that I fall back on the 5,000 mile oil change and filter change. I will, however, continue to use synthetics. In my last Tacoma (using Mobile 1), it increase my mileage more than enough to compensate for the increased cost.

01-08-2008, 02:13 AM	#16
ERdept Senior Member Joined: Oct 2007, #3187 Location: Kali Gender: Male Posts: 646 2008 Prerunner Silver. 2008 Access Cab Automatic 6 cylinder Steering wheel cover and Pop lock, custom full seat silver sheepskins, trailer hitch clevis, gas cap lock. Weathertec mats, Hella horns, Revo tires,, Toytec lift,, Magnaflow exhaust, Ichiba wheel spacers 30mm, A.R.E. Z series shell, K&N CAI, secondary air filter removed, debadged, Ultra white lights, JDM yellow fogs bulbs, Fumoto drain valve, magnets at all the pans for shavings if any, due to my extreme paranoia.	Just reading the warning about Toyota not encouraging synthetic oil. I thought if you're really obsessive compulsive about it, like I am with a lot of things, you can have Toyota officially change the oil. Thus, you have their receipt. Then change it out at home to synthetic. Expensive but get you what you want both ways. You get their compliance and you get your oil.

01-08-2008, 03:58 PM	#18
45longcolt Senior Member Joined: Dec 2007, #3663 Location: DFW Area Posts: 203 08, Double cab, 4WD, Off Road, Tow, 2008 Double Cab Automatic Got to pay for it first!	ERdept, where did you see the "NO" synthetic warning? If it is only an "encourage not to" instead of your "warranty will be voided", seems it is OK to use it.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Synthetic or standard oil	djhannah	2nd Gen. Tacomas	33	11-30-2008 12:38 PM
Regular oil vs. synthetic	thenrie	Technical Chat	4	09-11-2007 02:16 PM
when to switch to synthetic oil	dirthawker1313	2nd Gen. Tacomas	5	08-21-2007 08:25 PM
Waiting for '08	HuskerTRD	New Members	8	08-14-2007 08:05 PM
Newbie in waiting	death valley fan	New Members	7	07-25-2007 04:17 PM